Post date: Feb 01, 2016 9:49:19 AM
Hello Vets,
In this week's Bleat;
From the Desk of the Handicapper
Racing this Week
Race Reports
Stromlo Forest Park
Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc
Ian Morton
This week's changes;
Dougal Torrance B to A
Peter Alexander C to B
Andrew McRae E to D
Dennis Puniard F to E
Sue Frost E to F
Please note the provisional race programme and appointed volunteer race referees and marshals for the early races. Please check to see if you name has been included. Currently, I'm choosing people to marshal who have raced over the summer, are not in their first season and previously marshalled in first half of 2015 or not at all. If you didn't help out in 2015, please come forward. Being a race referee or traffic controller can be demanding but calling out and writing down numbers in the chute is a task most of us would find quite straightforward. The club is able to sustain its low costs (E.g. Licence and 20 races=$200 for the Vets but $450 for CCC) thanks to the efforts of those who offer their services for free. The more the burden is spread among all members, the fairer the system is. Thanks to those who've offered their services already.
Looking forward to your help in the coming months.
Rob Langridge
Where: Stromlo Forest Park
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
E/FG 5:50 28 min + 2 laps
A/C 6:25 A 40m+2, C 35m+2
B/D 7:20 B 40m+2, D 35m+2
Race Director: tba
Contact: Email: tba Ph tba
2 x Marshals required
The Program for Wednesday is as follows:
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice;
6.00pm – 6.20pm: 16-Lap graded scratch race;
6.20pm – 6.40pm: 4-Lap handicap
6.40pm – 7.00pm: 12-Lap Win & Out
7.00pm – 7.20pm: Italian Pursuit.
Where: Dairy Rd, Fyshwick
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description: Start times 8:00am (Grade start times to be advised)
Race Director: Nick Boylan
Contact: Email paddlepower@grapevine.com.au Ph: 0417873032
The nominated marshals for this event are;
• Dale Kleeman
• Jan Koehler
Please confirm with the Race Director that you are available. If you unable to make the date that you have been rostered please find a replacement.
The nominated marshals for upcoming events are;
- Feb 09 @ Stromlo: Paul Connor, Dougal Torrance
- Feb 14 @ Old Federal Highway: Alex O'Shea, Paul Robey, Bruce Goodspeed, David Wilson, Chris Kon, Tim Minehan
- Feb 16 @ Stromlo: Craig Kentwell, Brian Holloway
- Feb 21 @ Uriarra: ATC , Kevin Hennessy, Simon Milnes, James Mills, Peter Alexander
- Feb 23 @ Stromlo: Ian Preston, John Stokman
Although the weather was favourable numbers were down for the Australia Day criterium. A total of 69 turned up for the race indicating that the other usually keen riders were elsewhere probably enjoying the public holiday with a picnic or BBQ. The recently implemented change of start times ie; E,F,G first off first followed by alternating A,C or B,D seems to be working well and has not generated any complaints from members.
E Grade left the line first and included Sue Frost who had just been promoted from F. A good sized group for F grade followed close behind together with Lean Horsnell, the only G representative for G grade. A moderate breeze from the east was blowing across the track but E grade stayed together for most of the race apart from Sue who was dropped within the first couple of laps and spent the rest of the race trying to catch up. The F grade bunch suffered from the windy conditions and separated a couple of times.Winner after a close sprint was Dennis Puniard who was having his first ride after a few weeks absence.
By the time A and C grades started the wind had picked up and was creating the usual difficulties for slower riders trying to hang on the their group. Breaks soon occurred in both grades and left several small groups in pursuit around the track. A two man break in A grade took advantage of the situation and stayed well ahead for most of the race with Bruce Morrison, Marc Vroomans and Stephen Isbel taking line honours.
B and D grades faced similar conditions with similar consequences, leaving small groups and individual riders spread around the course. Doug Torrance took out first place in B grade and Dan Ashcroft in D.
Many thanks to the marshals on the day, Jayson Clarke, Ed Pellegrino and Dominic Romano and also to first aider Stu who always makes a worthwhile contribution to keeping track of riders during the races.
Rob Langridge
Initially, the prospects for track racing on 27 January looked bleak. It poured rain for most of the day. However, the rain ceased around 2.00pm and by 4.00pm the roads and track were dry enough to proceed with racing. The roll up for racing improved over recent weeks with 16 starters for the track session.
The initial scratch races were extended to 14-laps with the rider numbers allowing separate A and B grade races. The A grade race was fast paced with the extra distance allowing a number of tactical feints. There was a good break by Ben Robey and Rohan McMurray at mid race. Several riders established a gap. However, the pursuit continued in the bunch with the last few laps seeing the whole bunch together and jockeying for position. Michael Langdon began an early lead out, unfortunately with Steve Jones and Chris Thompson on his wheel. Steve took the sprint from Chris with Michael gaining a well deserved, third place. The B grade race was somewhat less tactical. However, the pace was on from the start with riders dropped and drifting off the back. Alec Millet made an early break for the finish shattering the bunch. Alex led in followed by Phil Anderson and Ross Scutts.
In A grade, the 2-Lap handicap was closely contested with Peta Brill just holding off Craig Kentwell and a fast-finishing Michael Langdon. In B Grade, a generous handicap allowed yours truly to hang on for a win over Alec Millett and Bruce Griffin. My first 5 point score for the season!
The next event was a 12-Lap Snowball race where there are multiple sprints with progressively escalating points. This makes for some interesting tactical decisions. In A grade, Ben Davis took the two final sprints and accumulated nine points for a fine win. In B grade, Alec Millett dominated, accumulating twelve points for the win.
The final event for the evening was an Italian Pursuit. Team 1 was anchored by Rohan McMurray and Team 2 by Chris Thompson. The early laps were closely contested. However, Team 2 gained the upper hand with solid pace in mid race. As usual, the finish margin was small, only about 1.5 bike lengths after seven laps. Team 2 took the win in a well contested race.
Firstly a correction for the 20 January mystery race where second place was incorrectly transcribed.
The correct result is - Mystery Race: Michael Langdon, Peta Brill, Alec Millett.
Major place getters for the 27 January races were as follows:
14-Lap Scratch: (A Grade) Steve Jones, Chris Thompson, Michael Langdon, (B Grade) Alec Millett, Phil Anderson, Ross Scutts.
2-Lap Handicap: (A Grade) Peta Brill, Craig Kentwell, Michael Langdon (B Grade) Graeme O’Neill, Alec Millett, Bruce Griffin.
12-Lap Snowball: (A Grade) Ben Davis (9pts), Rohan McMurray (7pts), Steve Jones (6pts). (B Grade) Alec Millett (12pts), Phil Anderson (7pts), Ross Scutts & Ian Drayton (equal 4pts).
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner, Team 2 (Chris Thompson, Alec Millett, Steve Hirsler, Bruce Griffin, Ben Robey, Michael Langdon, Ben Davis).
Season Point Score Update: Michael Langdon (151), Steve Jones (136), Alec Millett (132), John-Paul DeSousa (126), Steve Hirsler & Ross Scutts (114).
Graeme O'Neill
Vets,
There's a Stromlo Park survey asking for feedback on the master plan. The survey closes 5th Feb.
Link to Master Plan
http://haveyoursay.planning.act.gov.au/stromlo-forest-park-master-plan
Link to Survey